1989 was the year that the first McDonald’s in Moscow began construction, which has absolutely nothing to do with this beautiful 1989 Dodge Dakota Sport Convertible, but I thought it was an interesting 1989 fun fact. Much more fun would be had if a person owned this interesting convertible. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Gilbert, Arizona, there is no reserve, and the bid price is $9,100.
I haven’t owned a convertible for three decades now but it has to be the ultimate vehicle option. 4WD is nice, as are air-conditioning and power options. A big engine and manual transmission are nice features, but there’s something about being able to put your vehicle’s top down and cruise around on nice days. In southern Arizona, I’m guessing that’s more in the winter months than the summer months. I wish I lived there to test that theory.
We’ve seen a few of these before and they’re pretty interesting. A convertible pickup, what a concept. It’s almost like the old crew cab pickups from the 1970s, who ever thought that idea would catch on to be the industry standard now? I sure didn’t. Apparently, convertible Dakotas didn’t catch on either as they were only made from 1989 through 1991. This example looks like a gem to me but the seller says there are some scratches, ding, faded paint, and the usual things that happen to 36-year-old vehicles.
Fewer than 2,500 Dakota convertibles were made for the 1989 model year and the top was manual, not power-operated. They were a conversion by American Sunroof Company (ASC) and this sure looks like a nice one. I can’t see any flaws inside and the seller says this truck is rust-free so that’s great. They made 4WD versions and a manual transmission would have been optional depending on the engine.
The engine is a 3.9-liter fuel-injected V6 with 125 horsepower, sending power through a four-speed automatic to the rear wheels. The seller says it is an original owner truck bought new in Phoenix. People always say to buy the nicest example you can find, and this may be it. What’s your ultimate vehicle option?
Scotty didn’t Shelby have his fingerprints on some of these convertible Dodges ?Had the 318ci, (5.2L) Magnum đ
Stan, I only see one reference to a Dakota Shelby Convertible and it’s on someone’s Flickr page, so I don’t know how accurate it is.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/119886413@N05/15621408318
It would have seemed like a no-brainer to me.
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There definitely was a Shelby model for 1989 and possibly beyond, but the Shelby ones didn’t come with the convertible top sadly.
I still remember when these came out. The thought of a convertible pickup was really something else. I think you’re right Scotty. There’s not much to nitpick on this one. If you’re going to buy one, as they say, buy the best one you can find. The interior looks like it survived nicely too. And who knew???? McDonald’s in Moscow in 1989?
I always wanted one of these, what could be better than a convertible? A truck convertible! But these weren’t the first, the 69 Chevy Blazer does it for me, even though they didn’t have real drop tops. I remember a lot of guys didn’t like these since they didn’t have a V8. I do have a 72 2WD Blazer, but it’s a rust bucket future project, I’m making do with my daily driver 2008 Indy Pace convertible, rolling over to 99k miles soon. I do kick myself for passing on a $7k Chevy SSR truck convertible.
Chuck i knew a guy who had a banana đ yellow SSR. They had the Corvette drivetrain didn’t they. He said it really moved out nice.
I always thought that these were a great idea, and wanted one. Right now I have a 2016 Buick Cascada convertible for a daily driver, and a 1968 red El Camino (pickup) for cruising and occasional hauling stuff (not a trailer queen or show car), so… I think that boot for the top on this vehicle looks weird, like a bench seat bottom, and possibly blocks your vision ?
John, totally forgot about that rare Cascada model. Turbo Buick âŠī¸đ
Truck convertible? Get real, what a way to destroy a nice truck. Next thing you know, you’ll try to say there is a limo-truck. {6 door}
This is a factory built convertible Pete.
Not factory built, but a conversion done by American Sunroof(ASC). Dealers ordered these through the normal ordering process, truck was shipped to ASC and the shipped back to Dodge, who then shipped to the dealer. I sold a few of these.
True, but it was a factory authorized conversion, not a custom job.
Sold them new back in the day. Chrysler had a contest on in the Pittsburgh zone. I think I sold three during that time. I finished tied for 3rd with like 3 other guys. At the time the Pittsburgh zone was most of Pen, all of Ohio the west part of New York and more, Selling 3 got me some money.
Not all of Ohio. Our dealership was /still is in Lima, Ohio in the western part of the state. We were the southern most dealer of the Detroit Zone…….south of us was the Cincinnati zone, which extended to the west , south and east of Cincy. NE Indiana was also in the Detroit zone.
$10,350 now, with 144k miles.
Sold for $12,600. Still seems like a bargain to me.
Thank you, sir! I agree, there’s a lot of fun in this truck for the price of a used Kia.